One of the main problems for those traveling in wheelchairs is precisely the insecurity of not knowing where to go without running into an obstacle. This is because, unfortunately, we often forget to break down the barriers that are a major limitation for some of us, making the occasion of travel a privilege and not a moment of enrichment within everyone's reach.

Naples is one of the cities that aims to break down architectural barriers and increase as much as possible the'accessibility for the wonderful tourist attractions. Of course, there is still a long way to go, but it is possible to visit some areas of the city thanks to the presence of various initiatives aimed at the inclusion of everyone. Regarding the accessibility of the major attractions and monuments in the city of Naples, a differentiation must be made between places partially accessible and those totally barrier-free.

Naples is a city rich in cultural, food and wine and environmental resources that possesses great innate tourist value. Many of these riches have been made accessible to all tourists who wish to visit the city. Accessible attractions arise in the most diverse areas of the great metropolis. Here are the Itineraries and walks without barriers.

The Naples waterfront

The Naples waterfront and the neighbor Municipal Villa are the best choice for a typical walk along the city's coastline, where the scent and pleasant music of the waves of the sea, alternates with the verdant and peaceful environment of the Villa. Behind the Villa Comunale, practically on the Riviera di Chiaia, it is possible to visit the fascinating Villa Pignatelli with its spectacular display of carriages.

On the blue sea of the wonderful Via Partenope, Instead, the magnificent Castel dell'Ovo, which can be visited only in part but offers unmissable views, especially in the sunset hours.

The Hill of Capodimonte

For lovers of a more wooded environment, however, just move to the hill of Capodimonte where the namesake park of the Reggia extends with its very long paths (all accessible), completely surrounded by greenery. A multi-sensory experience where the typical silence of the forest is interrupted only by the chirping of birds, and the fresh smell of the plants, transports you to a world seemingly detached and far from the city. Within the park, there is also the Museum of Capodimonte Where you can count on the presence of services for all needs.

Posillipo overview

On the highest point of Naples, then, you can also opt for a pleasant walk with the breathtaking panoramic views offered by the beautiful Virgilian Park of Posillipo. There are absolutely no architectural barriers here; on the contrary, a beautiful accessible road runs along the long lawns and multiple viewpoints, where you can enjoy beauty and relaxation at 360 degrees. If, on the other hand, you are more interested in a walk to discover scientific research and experimentation, we recommend visiting the fantastic City of Science, a place suitable for adults but also for children to whom an area is dedicated where they can learn new things while having fun, all without barriers and with paths accessible to all.

Places of greatest interest in the city: from partial to full accessibility

Starting from the top, we can recommend the Charterhouse of San Martino which towers from the Vomero district and is visible as far as the Mergellina area. Here, too, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views the city has to offer. The Charterhouse, on the other hand, is only partially accessible.

Also in the area is the beautiful and verdant Villa Floridiana which houses within it an accessible and interesting National Museum of Ceramics of the Duke of Martina, where one of the largest and most important collections of ceramic art is on display.

The Historic Center of Naples

The Royal Botanical Garden of Via Foria is another unmissable pearl of the city of Naples. The grand and majestic staircase at the main entrance is not a real problem, as the park can also be accessed from a more convenient side entrance, often used by the elderly and visually impaired. In addition to the wonder of the place itself, inside the park, precisely near the experimental section of medicinal plants, is the "tactile and olfactory museum." This sort of small sensory garden, is set up in and around a chalet accessible to all, but designed especially, for the blind. Also accessible in the area known as "the Castle" is the Museum of Paleobotany and Ethnobotany, to discover the earliest origins of botanical species as well as its uses (food, tissue and many others) among the various ancient and modern civilizations and tribes, of the world.

In the Museo area, which is located practically at the beginning of Via Foria, then, it is possible to visit the city's main museum hub, represented by the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

The accessible underground routes

The beauties of Naples do not end on its surface; on the contrary, they continue in its depths: our city hides an underground world that belongs to the ancient Greek Neapolis and has endured over the years, during world conflicts until it was brought to light in more recent times.

The standard route of the Bourbon Gallery

The Bourbon Gallery Is the masterpiece of the ancient engineering Neapolitan during the reign of the Bourbon. The underground complex houses fascinating tunnels and pathways: among them the standard route is also accessible to people with mobility disabilities for the 60% of the route by entering from the access of Via D. Morelli 61 (pedestrian entrance of the Morelli Parking lot).

The monumental complex of San Lorenzo Maggiore

The Basilica of San Lorenzo at St. Gaetano Square hosts the opera house museum, where you can visit the chapter house, the Sixtus V Hall and the monumental cloister. Also on display in other rooms are historical collections dating back to the700s and 1800s, once belonging to the convent itself, including clothing, paintings and magnificent furnishings.

Accessible places in the Mezzocannone and San Marcellino area

In Via Mezzocannone, where the University of Naples Federico II University complex is located, is one of the most "complete" museum centers for Nature enthusiasts. It is, in fact, the set of museums located within the university buildings that include: the Museum of Mineralogy, that of Zoology, and the Museum of Anthropology, housed in the Mezzocannone complex. Through this building you can cross a courtyard that leads into the rear complex of Via San Marcellino where the Museum of Paleontology. A few steps away from Via Mezzocannone, finally stands the Chapel of St. Severus, with its main attraction and striking work of art: the Veiled Christ.

The surroundings of the historic Cathedral Street

Moving finally more toward the more central area of the oldest part of Naples, there are monuments ready to accommodate everyone without any limitations. And that is how one can easily organize a tour that includes the magnificent Naples Cathedral, with the neighbor Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro. In the area, practically at the end of Via Duomo you can also visit the infamous Madre Museum, the Donnaregina Museum of Contemporary Art.

At the other pole of this area, also stands the Monastery of St. Clare with its unmissable Majolica-tiled cloister.

The symbolic square of the city

Around the beautiful Plebiscite Square, one of the most important squares in Naples, stand several buildings of great importance. These include the Royal Palace, the adjacent National Library and the opulent San Carlo Theater.

Finally, we recommend visiting the impressive Angevin Male o New Castle, which will amaze you with its incredible beauty.

Neapolitan transportation and events

In support of the city of Naples' own accessible tourism, which meets all the needs of its tourists, there is also infrastructure such as means of transportation. A good part of the road service in Naples, in fact, is equipped for the access and transportation of wheelchairs of the disabled, while the totality of the service of the subway network provides for the presence of elevators in the stations, as well as lifting facilities, tactile maps and paths designed exclusively for the removal of barriers. Many voluntary and private associations also provide services and means designed for the elimination of all limitations that hinder the enjoyment of the city's assets.

There are also many events and projects. These include the "Games without Barriers" event held continuously in Naples in interesting locations such as the Mostra d'Oltremare and in 2016 also in the Catacombs of San Gennaro, among other things still currently engaged in making their spaces accessible to all. Event with sports, music, shows and entertainment, designed for all children, but also an important opportunity to meet with representatives of institutions and artists from great fame, as well as, of course, an event of fundamental social and recreational importance.